Faculty:School of Journalism & Mass Communication

Dr. Bruhn teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in public relations strategy, PR campaigns, and research. She earned her doctorate from Michigan State University, a master’s degree from Ball State University, and an undergraduate degree in communications from Valparaiso University. She is accredited by the Public Relations Society of America. Prior to joining the Drake faculty in 2009, Bruhn created award-winning campaigns for Verizon Wireless and various nonprofit organizations. In 2013, she was recognized by the Des Moines chapter of the Public Relations Society of America as outstanding chapter member, and she served as the 2018 Central Iowa PRSA Chapter president. Her research interests include public relations pedagogy and agency-client relationships.

Henry teaches creative advertising, visual communication, and multimedia capstone classes. Prior to joining the SJMC faculty in 2007, Henry amassed more than 20 years of experience in creative advertising and marketing, in both agencies and in-house environments. Her clients have covered the spectrum, from a major grocery store chain to a nonprofit arts organization to one of the world’s largest agricultural seed companies. Henry is active with the Interactive Media and Emerging Technology division of the Broadcast Education Association. Her research interests include advertising and multimedia pedagogy and Super Bowl ads.

Inman teaches primarily in the Magazine Media major and serves as the coordinator of the Meredith Corp. apprenticeship in service journalism. He also created and teaches an interdisciplinary mobile app class with faculty from computer science and graphic design. He joined the faculty in 2008. He has been an active freelance writer for such publications as Billboard and Rolling Stone, and has been the Arts and Entertainment Editor at three alternative newsweeklies, including the Las Vegas Weekly. He serves as the chair of the university’s Board of Student Communication and is the marketing chair on the Des Moines Water Works Park Foundation Board of Directors. His research interests include the latest developments in multimedia magazine journalism.

Lee Jolliffe, Ph.D., Professor of Journalism at Drake University, is an active scholar who has written over 80 academic articles, book chapters, papers, and presentations for American Periodicals, Journalism Quarterly, Journalism Educator, Journal of Popular Culture, Journalism History, and other venues. Jolliffe holds a B.A. in English and Journalism from Lindenwood College (1974), a master’s degree from the Ohio State University in Humanities Education (1977), and a Ph.D. from Ohio University in Mass Communication (1989).

She served for over 10 years on the Magazine Division Executive Board of the international Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), holding posts as Program Chair, Research Chair, and Division Head, among others. Her teaching awards include the Provost’s Outstanding Junior Faculty Teaching Award from University of Missouri at Columbia, an MU Centennial Medal for mentoring honors students, and a Gannett Foundation Teaching Fellowship, as well as national recognition for her coaching and for student projects in freedom of expression and in magazine publishing. Her most recent effort is leading a joint group of Drake and Missouri Journalism School students at the 2008 historic Democratic National Convention.

Konfrst teaches public relations, strategic political communication, and core journalism courses. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Drake, and is accredited by the Public Relations Society of America. Konfrst brings more than 20 years of professional experience to the classroom. She has experience working on political campaigns, in a U.S. Senate office, in public affairs, and with communications in political contexts and regarding political issues. Prior to joining the journalism faculty in 2013, Konfrst most recently worked at Iowa Public Television. There she led the network’s brand strategy, cross-platform promotion, media relations, crisis communication, and promotion to other PBS stations across the country. She served as the statewide network’s spokesperson, and worked extensively as an on-air host. Konfrst was selected as the national PBS Communications Professional of the Year in 2007. She currently serves in the Iowa House of Representatives. Her research interests include political communication and public relations pedagogy.

Snider joined Drake full-time in 2010 and teaches classes in web design, social media strategy, multimedia, and digital strategy. Prior to teaching, he was assistant managing editor for digital and innovation at The Des Moines Register, where he was a leader in how media companies use social media, live content, and mobile. He continues to be recognized as a national leader in social media and digital innovation. He collaborates with faculty from entrepreneurship, math, and computer science in the Drake Innovation Studio and does web design and digital marketing for Des Moines companies.

Van Wyke teaches journalism classes in multimedia reporting, editing, and visual communication. She received her bachelor’s degree in journalism and her master’s in education from Drake. Prior to joining the faculty in 1997, Van Wyke had an 11-year career at The Des Moines Register as reporter, copy editor, and an assistant city editor. She has served as Drake SJMC’s internship coordinator and is the long-time advisor to the Times-Delphic, Drake’s student-run newspaper. She is a member of the Online News Association, Broadcast Education Association, College Media Advisers, Iowa College Media Association, and Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. Her research interests involve multimedia journalism and journalism ethics.